The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-27
HAS RUsKIN LOST HIS MIND?
Rumor that the Author and Art Critic Is
Mental Wreck.

A Rumor that the Author and Art Critic Is .
Mental Wreck.
NEW YORK, Aug 26.-The Sun prints a spe-
cial cable to the effect that John Ruskin, the
faIncns English author and art critic, is insane.
Mr.. Ruskin is said to be no longer mentally
capable of prosecuting his literary labors, and is
subject to various delusions One form taken
by his insanity is suspicion of his old friends.
He has lately sent letters all over England
accusing relatives with whom he is stopping of
abusing him. He has been living in great re-
tirement, showing aversion to society, but re-
Gently left his home and is said to he travelling,
but his exact whereabouts unknown to his
friends. Through excessive libsrality he has
become impoverished. a
John Ruskin, the most eloquent and original
OF ali writer's upon art was born IN London IN
1873. He studied at Christ Church. Oxford
where he gained the Newdigate prize for English
poetry in 1889 and took his degree in 1912. The
year following appeared the first volume of his
Modern Painters" the primary design of which
was to prove the infinite superiority of modern
landscape painters. especially Turner, to the old
masters; but in the later volumes tthe fifth and
last was published in 1861 the work expanded
of art interspersed with artistic and SYM
bolic descriptions of nature, more elaborate
and imaginative than any writer. prose po-
etc, had before attempted. 'Modern
Painters" was essentially revolutionary in its
spirit and am and naturally excited the aver
sion and hostility of the conservatives in art.
But the unegualed splendor of its style gave it
place in literature; crowds of admirers and dis
ciples sprang up; the views of art enunciated by
Ruskin gradually made way, and have largely
determined the course and character of later En-
gsh art In 1849 appeared THE Seven Lamps
of Architecture" and in 1S51-53 1.-The Stones of
Venice" both being efforts to introduce new
and loftier conception of the significance of do
mestic architecture They exouisitely
illustrated by the author himself. About this
time pre- Raphaelitlsm began to develop itself as
distinctive phase of modern art, and Ruskin
warmly espoused its cause. His letters to the
Times. his pamphlet the subject (l851 and
his Notes on the Royal Academy exhibitions
tloo5-6O). besides numerous casual expressions
OF opinion, bear testimony to the ardor and sim
cerity OF his admiration. In 1854 he published
four snguarly pithy and ingenious Lectures
on Architecture and Painting" previously de-
livered at the Edin bureh Philosophical Insti-
tution), and in 1858 two Lectures
the Political Economy OF Art" (previ
ousy delivered at Manshesterl Works Of
perhape lesser consequences are his "Notes"
sinraoE's pictures and drawings exhibited in
Marlborough House 1S57l; Elements of Draw
i.tg 81 Three Letters, for Beginners" (l857l; .Ee-
ments of Perspective" {1S59l; .sIgI.to this Last"
IS62e Study of Architecture in Our Schools"
t1866l; ''The Queen of the Air. Being Study of
the Greek Myths of Cloud and Storm (1S69);
Lectures on Art" (1870); ''Munera Puveris: Es-
says on Political Economy" 1872; .'Aratra Pen
tilci: Lectures the Elements of Sculpture
u872J, etc. A few years ago this prolific author
started periodical pamphlet, entitled "Fors
Clavigera." for the exposition of the mulrfari-
Gus application Of his art principles. From 1869
till 1879 he was Slade professor of fine arts at
Oxford. In 1871 he gave f5, 900 to endow a
master of drawing in tie Taylor galleries Ok
ford. In the same year the University of Cam
bridge conferred on Ruskin the degree of LIZ ID.